328 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 
ravines are to be turned into rat-hatcheries by filling them 
with garbage and rubbish; when sparkling streams are to be 
fouled with stinking slops and oils by the slovenliness of 
some streamside factory ; when public groves are to be cleared 
without any intelligent supervision, merely to provide work 
for a public labor-gang in the slack season:-whenever 
these or any other such things, as are occuring daily all over 
the land, are about to be committed, it is the duty of the 
naturalist to speak out in protest. He should endeavor to 
enlist the enlightened public sentiment of his community, 
to have the esthetic and educational values of such places 
considered, ere they are destroyed. They are sure to be under- 
valued because they have cost the public nothing. In this 
they are like all true gifts of heaven. 
In city communities, there are Audubon societies, and 
wildflower preservation societies, and civic improvement 
societies, and conservation societies, etc., that include in 
their membership the best brains and culture of the place; 
and the aid of such organizations is easily enlisted in sucha 
cause. In any community there are those that love the beauty 
and freshness of unspoiled nature, and who will gladly use 
their influence toward saving something for future enjoy- 
ment. The first thing to be done is to see that those admin- 
istering the public works in question are informed of the 
value of the wild things about to be destroyed. Often, it 
is necessary that they be informed of the very existence of 
such things. Next there is need of eternal vigilance. 
Improving waste places. When necessary public works, 
however destructive of natural scenery, have been completed, 
then a little careful forethought for the use of the things 
nature freely offers, will make the place beautiful again, 
The naturalist should assist in planning their betterment, 
He of all people, should know what things are most available, 
and best suited to every use and situation, 
